Qld coal production to rise 80pc: Bligh

Despite global concern over climate change and carbon emissions, Queensland will increase coal production by almost 80 per cent over the next two decades, Premier
Anna Bligh
says.

Making her annual address to the Queensland Resources Council before an audience of 900 miners and business people from related industries on Wednesday, Ms Bligh announced the government's new coal plan.

"The coal plan estimates that over the next 20 years, the Queensland coal industry has the potential to significantly increase its production of saleable coal from approximately 190 million tonnes per annum up to 340 million tonnes per annum," Ms Bligh said.

"That is an increase of almost 80 per cent."

Ms Bligh said the plan outlined how demand for coal will outstrip all other fuels in absolute terms.

She said there was a need to provide certainty for miners and farmers.

"Government has an obligation to prevent the permanent alienation of the best of the best food producing country in Queensland."

Outside the QRC luncheon in Brisbane, Resources Minister
Stephen Robertson
said the government had gone a long way to meeting the concerns of landholders who are objecting to the activities of coal and gas explorers on their land.

Mr Robertson said the government had redressed the lack of balance, which had favoured miners.

"New laws have been put in place to recognise the rights of landholders," he said.

"I don't like to see people involved in this type of [protest] action when government has clearly demonstrated a preparedness to listen to their concerns and act on those concerns, and that's what we've done," Mr Robertson told AAP.

The QRC also launched a website it says details the contribution mining makes to the Queensland economy, and it quickly drew fire from the Queensland Conservation Council.

Toby Hutcheon, executive director of the QCC, said fossil fuel exports have a questionable future.

"Global investment in new renewable energy projects already outstrips coal and gas investment, and research and development into new steel-making processes are currently under investigation," Mr Hutcheon said.

"When that market for fossil fuels falls, the future of the dependent Queensland economy is demonstrably under threat," Mr Hutcheon said.

"The fossil fuel industry has a sunset clause and it's time for Queensland to recognise this.